governance
/ˈɡʌvənəns/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: governances
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The process, or the power, of governing; government or administration.
Noun
Examples
But was it responsible governance to pass the Longitude Act without other efforts to protect British seamen? Or might it have been subterfuge—a disingenuous attempt to shift attention away from the realities of their life at sea.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The specific system by which a political system is ruled.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “governance” mean?
The process, or the power, of governing; government or administration.
Is “governance” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.